On November 17th this fall, Cap’n Jazz headlined at Downtown Austin’s Mohawk. They took over the outdoor stage where fans were packed into Mohawk like sardines. The crowd was a sea of all ages, dressed in arrays of tartan and black. I made my way up the balconies in hopes of finding a good viewing point. To my dismay, I kept finding myself stuck behind tall men. I settled down on the top terrace, still blocked behind a tall figure. To my utter shock, after about 5 minutes and as the show began, he turned around and offered his spot to me. He went to mosh, and I had an impeccable view all night.
Cap’n Jazz is a legendary Midwest band in the history of emo music. Originally started by brothers Tim and Mike Kinsella in 1989, the songs written as teenagers would go on to impact many future artists and heavily influence today’s 5th wave emo bands like Algernon Cadwallader and Your Arms Are My Cocoon. More people listen to bands influenced by Cap’n Jazz than know of their predecessor. Their influence precedes them, and their legacy is justified. They have mastered cathartic and messy expressions in a raw, genuine, and beautiful way. They are a foundational band of the emo scene.
The band opened with a personal favorite, “Basil’s Kite,” but played the entirety of their one and only studio album Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped On, and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over, also known as Shmap'n Shmazz. Sounds of arpeggiated guitar melodies and energetic vocals are heard through songs like “Ooh Do I Love You,” “Tokyo,” and “Little League.” Cigarette smoke danced around the crowd as rowdy cheers and claps followed each song, not to mention the constantly moshing ground floor.
Lead singer Tim Kinsella is an unforgettable performer. A quick snapshot of the night includes Kinsella putting the mic stand down his pants and consequently falling back into the drumset, repeatedly throwing a tambourine out to the crowd and back, eventually getting hit in the face with it, and letting Kinsella’s French horn float through the crowd. Towards the end, their infamous song “Oh Messy Life” played, and the crowd erupted. Crowd surfers repeatedly launched off the stage, including Tim himself. Kinsella was even able to convince a Mohawk staff member to do a dive. From singing into the mic through his shirt to letting the mic flow through the crowd, the audience engagement was amazing. It was as if there was a constant conversation between the crowd and the band.
Cap’n Jazz’s performance at Mohawk started with pure heart, genuine crowd engagement, and the spirit of emo music, continuing to blossom in every aspect throughout the show.